Apparatus for the manufacture of pipes and the like from metal sheets or plates



t, 0 1,645,239 Oc 11? 1927 w. R. HUME APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PIPES AND THE LIKE FROM METAL SHEETS OR PLATES Original Filed Aug. 28, 1924 Paenedoa. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES p 1,645,239 PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER REGINALD HUME, 0F MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF IPIIPESA AND THE LIKE FROM METAL SHEETS OR PLATES.

Original application filed August .28, 1924, Serial No. 734,717, and in Australia September 19, 1923. Patent No.1,594,526, dated August 3, 1926. Divided and this application filed November 18, 1925,

Serial No. 69,910.

This invention relates to the manufacture of pipes and like tubular articles from met-al sheets or plates and refers more particularly to an improved apparatus for the manufacture of such articles in accordance with the method described in my co-pending applicgtilpn Serial No. 734,717 filed 28th August, 1

Hitherto it has been the usual practice to form tubular articles from flat metal sheets or plates cut to. a length approximately equal to the circumference of the pipe or the like to be formed the sheet or plate thus cut to the requiredsize being afterwards curved to the requisite diameter by cylind rical rollers in a bending machine after which the meeting edges of the sheet are united by welding or other means.

According to my aforesaid method a flat sheet or plate of any desired length is first coiled around aspecial mandril into a continuous spiral lsufficiently long to form one or more (preferably a series) of the tubular articles. The spirally coiled sheet is then severed in the direction of the length of the tube or tubes to be formed and the severed convolutions then separated from each other so that each convolution forms a curved pipe blank. The severed longitudinal meeting edges of said curved blank are then united, preferably by welding, to form a complete pipe or tube. The various convolutions of the spiral coil may be severed and removed individually so as to form curved blanks of uniform or predetermined size, or if desired, the several convolutions maybe cut simultaneously from the coiled sheet at the same point on the coil so that by joining the meeting edges of the result-ant individual convolutions, pipes or tubes of progressively decreasing diameters may be formed in a simple andexpeditious manner.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for carrying the above method into effect, particularly with regard to the spiral coiling and the Vcutting or severing of the coiled sheet to form the desired curved blanks.

Referring to the drawings which form part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a cross section of a mandrll used in accordance with the invention. A portion of the metal sheet about to be coiled upon the mandril is indicated in broken 'lines and the arrow indicates the direction in which the mandril rotates.

Figure 2 is a sectional view showing a metal plate or sheet coiled around t-he mandril seen in Figure 1 thereby forming a continuous spiral capable of producing a series of pipes or tubes. Indicated in broken lines is a cutting tool by which the spirally coiled sheet may be cut to produce a number of separate convolutions or curved blanks the cut longitudinal meeting edges of which are subsequently oined to form the complete tubular article.

Figure 3 is a cross section showing a metal plate or sheet partially coiled upon a contractible mandril comprising separate longitudinal sections which are removably clamped together so as to grip the axial shaftand accommodate the leading edge portion of the metal sheet. A pressure roller is also shown engaging the metal sheet or plate to ensure close coiling of the sheet on the mandril.

Figure 4 is an-end view of a complete machine or apparatus in accordance with the invention and embodying the aforesaid mandril. Certain parts are omitted for con- `veniencel of illustration.

Figure 5 is a plan view of said machine in which the parts omitted from Figure 4 are included.

Figure 6 is a detail rsection on line A-A of Figure 5 and shows a suitable cutting mechanism for severing the curved blanks from the coiled metal sheets.

Figure 7 is a detail view partly in section of a swinging bearing which may support the mandril at one end. A toggle device adapted to normally retain the bearing in an upright position is also shown.

Figure 8 shows a curved blank after severing and removal from the spiral coil.V

Figure 9 shows a curved blank placed around an internal form or bearer on which the meeting edges of the curved blank are united by welding to complete the formation of the desired pipe or tube.

In accordance with the invention the periphery of the roller or mandril 2 is of spiral shape in. cross section, that is to say, that the radial distance between the mean axial centre of the mandril and its periphery increases progressively from its minor to its major radius. The eifect of this spirality of the face of the metal sheet where the latter commences its first convolution on the minor radius of the mandril, and each convolution 6 assumes a true spiral formation the presence of any ridges, flat portions or other irregularities in the shape of the convolutions being entirely avoided. For this reasonthe spiral shape and construction of the mandril is highly important and it has been found that with an ordinary circular roller or mandril satisfactory results cannot be obtained owing to the presence of bumps or irregularities in the coiled sheet where it passes over the leading edge portion which is attached to the mandril.

The mandril 2 is provided with a`1ongitudinal slot or recess 7 which extends a suitable distance inwardly from the periphery of the mandril the width of the slot corresponding approximately to the thickness of the sheet or plate 4. The leading edge 8 of said sheet or an inturned piece or lip attached thereto, is entered into the slot 7 whereby the sheet or plate is held in position on the mandril during the coiling or bending operation. One edge of the open mouthed slot 7 is formed by the aforesaid step or shoulder 3 at the major radius of the spiral periphery of the mandril whilst the opposite edge of the slot is preferably rounded as at 12 so that it merges into the periphery of .the mandril at the minor radius of the latter thereby reducing the acuteness of the preliminary bending of the metal lplate or sheet 4 and constituting a factor in preventing the formation of irregularities in the convolutions It will lbe evident thatmeans other than the slot 7 may be employed for attaching the leading edge portion of the sheet to the mandril adjacent and on the lower side of the step or shoulder 3 so that the convolutions of the coil may lie against said attached leading portion of the sheet without forming projections or irregularities in the coil. For instance, the sheet may be tacked or otherwise temporarily secured to the mandril with its leading edge 8 abutting against or adjoining the step or shoulder 3.

To ensure that the metal sheet or plate is closely wound upon the mandril thus obviat-V ing any slackness or space between successive superposed convolutions, a pressure roller 13 may be provided and adapted to press the metal sheet 4 towards the mandril 12 during the coiling o eration. Provision is made as hereinafter escribed whereby this pressure Lacasse together by bolts or the like 18 to thereby grip the shaft 17 and the aforesaid leading edge or inturned lip 8 of the sheet 4. This inturned edge or lip may engage in a longitudinal recess between the mandril sections 16 as shown, said recess being the equivalent of the longitudinal slot or recess 7 formed in the mandril 2 as before mentioned. Thus by manipulation of the clamping devices which secure the mandril sections 16 together said sections may be freed from the central shaft 17 which can then be withdrawn to permit of the contraction of the sections 16 to facilitate removal of the coiled sheet therefrom.

To effect the' severing 'of the separate convolutions to form the curved pipe blanks, the coiled sheet or plate (whilst in position on the mandril 2 or, if desired, after being re-` moved therefrom and placed upon a separate roller or shaft) is subjected to the action of a suitable cutting or severing device such as a saw, milling or other cutter, or an oXy-acetylene or electric arc appliance, which is moved over the outer layer or convolution ofthe coil in the direction of the lengt-h of the tube to be formed or so that one or more complete convolutions are severed and may be removed for jointing together the severed meeting edges 18 of the curved pipe blank thus formed (Figures 8 and 9); For this cutting or severing operation it is considered preferable to employ a rotary cutting tool or wheel 21 as indicated in broken lines in Figures 2 and 6. This rotary tool -has a bev? elled cutting edge 22 whereby the longitudinal v meeting edges of the curved blanks are mutually inclined towards each other so that when placed together they form a V shaped groove which accommodates the molten metal and conduces to the formation of a very effective welded joint as indicated at 20 in Figure 9.

In some instances particularly when 1t is desired to form a seri-es of pipes of equal diameter from the same coil, parallel grooves or markings may be formed on the flat sheet or plate 4 at the desired spaced intervals where the convolutiqns or curved blanks G are to be ,severed from the coil. These grooves or markings may extend completely across the sheet in the direction of the length of the pipes to be formed and may be made for instance byl traversing a suitable tool Cil over and in contact with one side of the sheet or plate 4 whilst the latter is in the fiat state, the sheet-being then \coiled with its marked side outwards. Thus when a convolution or layer 6 is to be severed from the coil it is merely necessary to pass the aforesaid cutting tool 21 or other severing device along the particular groove or mark on the outer face of the coiled sheet so that the correct predetermined diameter of the iinished article is ensured. By the use of a bevel edged marking tool a shallow V shaped groove may be formed so that the longitudinal meeting edges of the curved blanks, which are severed along these grooves, will be mutually inclined towards each other to facilitate the formation and increase the efliciency of the welded joint 20, as previously mentioned. 4

As each convolution or curved blank 6 is thus severed from the coil it may be placed around an internal form or bearer 30 (Figure 9) which may be of cylindrical or other shape and size corresponding substantially to the shape and size or other form of the tubular article to be formed. Or the said form or bearer may be of segmental or like shape and extend only partially around the interior of the tube as shown in Figure 9. The meeting edges 18 of the curved blank are brought together around this form or bearer 30 and suitably united preferably by electrically welding as indicated at 20 in Figure 9 to thereby complete the formation of the tube which may then be removed from the internal form or bearer. The tubes thus constructed may be subsequently joined together at their ends where they are united circumferentially by welding or other suitable means to form conduits of the desired length.

Instead of covering the convolutions 6 separately and at different points in the spiral coil as previously described a series of the superposed convolutions may be severed at the same point and if .desiredv simultaneously thereby forming a' plurality of curved blanks of different sizes. rlhese blanks are adapted to form tubes of progressively decreasing diameters which may be readily fitted and secured together with their ends neatly accommodated one within the other. By this means tapering tubes or pipes may be readily and economically constructed such tapered tubes being admirably suited for use as tramway or telegraph posts and various other purposes. It will be obvious that the interitting ends of the tube sections may be secured together in a circumferential direction by welding, riveting, or other suitable means tothereby form a pole or the like of the desired length.

lt will be evident that a single tube may be constructed in accordance with the invention by forming a single` spiral convolution about the mandril 2 the inbent leading edge or end 8 of the sheet being overlapped by the trailing end so that by cutting through the two superposed layers or severing the inner layer along the trailing edge of the coiled sheet, the meeting edges of the resultant curved blank may be joined together to form the complete tube asl before menj tioned.

Reference will now be made to Figures 4 to 7 of the accompanying drawings which illustrate a machine for spirally coiling the metal sheets and for cutting oii the curved pipe blanks in accordance with the invention. According thereto the spiral mandril 2 is secured at one end by bolts 35 to a rotary face plate or chuck 36 and is supported at its other end by a bearing 37 as hereinafter described. The power transmission mechanism for rotating the mandril may include forward, loose and reverse pulleys 38, 39 and 40 mounted on a main driving shaft 4l which is supported by bearings 42 secured to a suitable base or foundation indicated in general by the numeral 43. Reduction gearing which may comprise a train of toothed wheels as 44 and 46 is provided between the main driving shaft 41 and a shaft 47 vwhich carries the face plate or chuck 36 whereby the spiral mandril is rotated at a speed suitable for effective working. During coiling operations the mandril is rotated in the direction indicated .by the arrow in Fi re 4.

The aforesaid4 bearing 37 may carry side-v wardly projecting horizontal trunnions or pivot pins 48 which are accommodated by suitable brackets 49 so that the said bearings 37 may be swung downwardly, as indicated by the broken lines in Figure 7, from its normal upright attitude when it is desired to remove a. coiled sheet or plate from the mandril. In order to ree the mandril from its bearing 37 preparatory to displacement of the latter as above mentioned, a loose bearing block 5l, which is normally in operative position around the upper part of the adjacent reduced end portion 50 of the mandril, may be released therefrom by manipulation of a presser screw 52. The swivelling bearing may be maintained its upright position about the pivot 48 by means of toggle links 53 which normally engage a stop or projection on the bearing 37 as in Figure 7 and may be collapsed when desired.

The aforesaid pressure roller 13, which is provided to ensure that the metal sheet or plate 4 is closely wound or coiled around the mandril as previously mentioned, is carried by a suitable frame 54 which prevents bending or distortion of the pressure roller and keeps it close up to the work during the coiling of the sheet er plate around the manembrace the roller 13 and form aligned bearings or seatings in which the roller is free to turn. Owing to the spirality of the mandril it is desirable that the pressure roller 1,3 should recede therefrom during coiling of the metal sheet or plate. For this reason the roller supporting frame 54 may be provided with apertured lugs or bosses 57 through which passes the eccentric portion 58 of a shaft 59 which turns in suitable bearings 6l.

This eccentric shaft 59 may be turned in the desired direction and at an. appropriate slow speed by means of suitable operative connections such as reduction gearing actuated from the shaft 47. Such reduction gearing may comprise a chain or endless band drive indicated at 62 and toothed wheels 63 and 64 the last wheel of the train being mounted on the eccentric shaft 59. By such means the pressure roller is caused to automatically and gradually recede from the spiral mandril as the latter revolves, each complete revolution of the mandril causing the roller 13 to recede for a distance corresponding to the thickness of the sheet or plate being coiled around the mandril. To return the pressure roller to its starting position after removal of the coiled sheet from the mandril the eccentric shaft 59 may be rotated in the opposite direction by means of a worm wheel 66 carried by the shaft 59 and turned by a worm screw 67 on a spindle 68 which is provided with an operating hand wheel or the like 69.

The pressure roller supporting frame 54 may be provided with rearwardly or sidewardly extending portions 71 having inclined lower faces 72 which bear freely upon and slide over vertically adjustable supports or jacks 73 during the movement of said frame. These supports or jacks may be raised and lowered by hand operated worm wheel and screw gear indicated at 75 so that besides supportin the swinging frame 54 about the eccentrlc shaft 59 relatively fine adjustments may be made in the position of the pressure roller 13 relative to the spiral mandril 2. I

To prevent bending or distortion of the spiral mandril during the initial engagement of the metal sheet 4 with the pressure roller, a pivoted arm or strut 76 is adapted to bear against the periphery of the mandril on the opposite side to the pressure roller 13 and approximately intermediately of the length of the mandril. The forward end or contact face 77 of this strut is curved from the top to bottom, the degree of such curvature and the pivotal point of the arm or strut being so designed and arranged in relation to the spiral periphery of thefmandril 2 that I `as the latter rotates it raises the strut 76 by -frictional contact. When the strut has been thus raised clear of the mandril a Leaaaae weight 75 attached to the arm or strut behind its pivotal point 81 causes the curved forward end of the strut to be raised farther as indicated by broken lines in Figure 4 so that it does not interfere with the continued rotation of the mandril and the coiling of the metal sheet thereon. A stop 78 may be provided to limit such swinging movement of the pivoted strut. f

The rear end 79 ofthe strut 76 may be forked or bifurcated as in Figure 5 and adapted to embrace a pivot pin 81 which passes through a bearing block 82. This block may be accommodated by a horizontal slideway formed in a bracket 83 mounted ou a supporting member 84 which upstands from the foundation 43. By the provision of an adjusting screw 86 the sliding block 82 may be adjusted towards or from the mandril 2 according to the diameter of the particular mandril in use so that the curved face 77 of the strut may be properly engaged with the mandril when commencing the coiling operation.

The aforesaid bevel edged cutting tool or wheel 21 by which the convolutions are severed from the coiled sheet, may be mounted at one end of a tool holder 87 (Figures 5 and 6) attached to a laterally adjustable slide 88 carried by a longitudinally travelling carriage or saddle 89. Screw and nut mechanism or the like operable by the handle 90 may be provided to move the slide 88 laterally in relation to said travelling carriage or saddle so that the cutter may be advanced towards or withdrawn from the coiled sheet as'desired. The travelling carriage 89 is adapted to move along a stationary guide member 91 which extends longitudinally of and at one side of the mandril 2, Means for actuating the travelling carriage may include a toothed rack 92 which is attached to said carriage and meshes with a corresponding toothed pmion 93. This pinion is mounted on a shaft 94 supported by bearings 95 and provided,

with forward, loose and reverse pulleys 96, 97 and 98 whereby the desired motion may be transmitted to the carriage 89.

It will be obvious that in instances where the coiled sheet orplate is removed from the mandril 2 and placed around a shaft or roller preparatory to the severing o f the convolutions as hereinbefore 'ment1oned, cutting mechanism similar to that descrlbed in the last preceding paragraph may be. employed and arranged to travel longitudmally of the said shaft or roller carrylng the spiral coil.

By the invention important advantages ins may be attained in connection with the saving of space -in transport and consequent reduction of 'freightl charges as previously mentioned. In addition the manufacture of the tubular articles is greatly facilitated,

cheapened and generally improved. It will, of course,` be obvious that the successive operations of spirally coiljng the metal sheets or plates, severing the individual convolutions and joining together the meeting edges of the resultant curved blanks, may

be carried out on the same site or by the same stad of operatives instead of transporting the met-al sheets in the coiled form as` before mentioned. Similarly thecurved blanks may, if desired, be packed one within the other so that they occupy little space and may be thus stored and transported for subsequent formation into the completed tubes.

Having now described my invention what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In apparatus Yfor the manufacture of pipes and the like from metal sheets or plates the combination of a rotary mandril having means for attaching an edge of the metal sheet thereto whereby said sheet is coiled in spiral form upon the mandril when the latter is rotated, a pressure roller disposed parallel with and adjacent said mandril to engage the outer face oi the sheet as it is coiled thereon, means for supporting said roller whereby it automatically recedes from the mandril as the size of the spiral coil increases, and driving means operatively connecting said pressure roller supporting means with the mandril whereby the speed of rotation of the latter determines the rate at which said pressure roller recedes from the mandril, for the purpose specified.

2. ln apparatus for the manufacture of pipes and the like from metal sheets or plates the combination of a rotary mandril having means for attaching an edge of the metal sheet thereto whereby said sheet is coiled in spiral form upon the mandril when the latter is rotated, a pressure roller disposed parallel with and adjacent said mandril to engage the outer face of the sheet as it is coiled thereon, means for support ing said roller whereby it automatically recedes from the mandril as the size of the coil increases, driving means operatively connecting said pressure roller supporting means with the mandril whereby the speed of rotation of the latter determines the rate at which said pressure roller recedes from the mandril, and hand operated adjusted means adapted to return or move the pres= sure roller towards the mandril for the purpose specied.

3. in apparatus for the manufacture of pipes and the like from metal sheets or plates the combination of a rotary mandril having means for attaching an edge of the metal sheet thereto whereby said sheet is coiled in spiral form upon the mandril when the latter is rotated, a pressure roller disposed parallel with and adjacent said -mandril to engage the outer face of the sheet as it is coiled thereon an veccentric shaft, a supporting frame pivoted to said eccentric shaft and supporting said pressure roller and means operatively connecting said shaft with the mandril whereby the pressure roller is caused to recede from the mandril in accordance with the speed of rotation of the latter for the purpose specified.

4. ln apparatus for the manufacture of pipes and the like from metal sheets or plates the combination of a rotary mandril aving means for attaching an edge of the metal sheet thereto whereby said sheet is coiled in spiral form upon the mandril when the latter is rotated, a pressure roller disposed parallel with and adjacent said mandril to engage the outer face of the sheet as it is coiled thereon, an eccentric shaft,

a supporting frame pivoted to said shaftl and supporting said pressure roller, means operatively connecting said shaft with the mandril whereby the pressure roller is caused to recede from the mandril in acc ordance with the speed of rotation of the latter and hand operated means comprising a screw gear adapted toreturn or move the pressure roller support towards the mandril for the purpose specified.

5. ln apparatus for the manufacture of pipes and the like i'rom metal sheets or plates the combination of a rotary mandril having means for attaching an edge of the metal sheet thereto whereby said sheet is coiled in spiral form upon the mandril when the latter is rotated, a pressure roller disposed parallel with and adjacent said manril toengage the outer face of the sheet as Yadapted to move away from the end of the mandril to permit of the removal of the coiled sheet therefrom whilst the mandril is su ported at its other end.

6. apparatus for the manufacture of pipes and the like from metal sheets or plates the combination of a rotary mandril having means for attaching an edge of a metal sheet thereto whereby said sheet is coiled in spiral form upon the mandril when the latter is rotated, a. pressure roller disposed parallel with and adjacent said mandril to engage the outer face of the sheet as it is coiled thereon, and a pivoted bearing supportlng one end of the mandril and adapted to away rom said end of the mandril to permit of the removal of the coiled sheet therefrom whilst the mandril is supported at its other end.

7. lin apparatus for the manufacture of pipes and the like ih'om metal sheets or plates 5. rotated, a pressure roller disposed parallel with and adjacent said mandril to engage the outer face of the sheet as it is coiled` thereon, means whereby saidfroller is caused to automatically recede from the mandril as the size of the spiral coil increases, and an arm or strut adapted to bear against the intermediate portion of the mandril to prevent bending or distortion ofthe latter duringthe initial assage of the metal sheet between the man ril and the pressure roller.

8. In apparatus for the manufacture of l pipes and the like from metal sheets or plates the combination of a rotary mandril having means for `attaching an edge lof the metal sheet thereto whereby said sheet is coiled in spiral form upon the mandril when the latter is rotated, a pressure roller disposed parallel with and adjacent said mandrillto engage the outer face of the sheet as it is coiled thereon, means whereby said roller is caused to automatically recede from the mandril as the size of the spiral coil increases, and a pivotally mounted arm or strut having a curved end face adapted to frictionally engage the periphery of the mandril for the purpose speciled.

9. 'In apparatus for the manufacture of pipes and the like from metal sheets or plates the combination of a rotary mandril having means for attaching an edge of the metal l sheet thereto whereby said sheet is coiled in spiral form upon the mandril when the latter is rotated, a pressure roller disposed parallel with and adjacent to said mandril to engagethe outer face ofthe sheet as it is coiled thereon, a pivoted arm or strut having a curved end face adapted to friotionally engage the periphery of the mandril, and a counter-weight carried by said arm orstrut for the purpose specified.

j 10. In apparatus for the manufacture of pipes and the like from metal sheets or plates the combination of a rotary mandril having means for 4attaching an edge of the metal sheet thereto whereby said sheet is coiled in a spiral form upon the mandril when the latter is rotated,y a pressure roller.J disposed parallel with land adjacent to said `mandril to en ge the outer face of the sheet as it is coile thereon, means whereby said roller is caused vto automatically recede from the mandril as theI size of the spiral coil iniaaaae creases, a cutting tool mounted to move lengthwise of and adjacent to the mandril and mechanical means for traversing said cutter in relation to the mandril for the purpose specified.

11. In' apparatus for the manufacture of pipes and the like from metal sheets or plates the combination of a rotary mandril having means for attaching an end of a metal sheet thereto whereby said sheet is coiled in spiral form upon the mandril when the latter is rotated, a pressure roller disposed parallel with and adjacent said mandril to engage the outer face of the sheet as it is coiled thereon, means whereby said roller is caused to automatically recede from the mandril as the size of the spiral coil increases, -a travelling carriage or saddle adapted to move longitudinally of the mandril, a bevelled edged cutting tool mounted on said carriage, and means for laterally adjusting said tool upon said carriage whereby the tool may be moved towards or from the mandril for the purpose specified.-

12. In apparatus for the manufacture of pipes and thelike from metal sheets or plates the combination of a rotary mandril having a periphery v)of spiral curvature in cross section and having means for attaching an edge of a metal sheet thereto whereby. said sheet is coiled in spiral form upon the mandril when the latter is rotated, a pressure roller disposed parallel with and adjacent said mandril to engage the outer face of the sheet as it is coiled thereon, and a pivoted bearing supporting one end of the mandril and adapted to swing away form said end of the mandrll to permit of the removal of the' coiled sheet therefrom whilst the mandril is supported at its other end.

13. In apparatus for the manufacture of pipes and the like from metal sheets or plates the combination of a rotary spiral mandril having means for attaching one end of a metal sheet thereto whereby said sheet is coiled in spiral formupon the mandril when the latter is rotated, a pressure roller disposed parallel with and adjacent said mandril to engage the outer face of the sheet as it is coiled thereon, gear means whereby the ressure roller is automatically retracted Irom the mandril as the size of the spiral coil increases, an'd power driven means for rotatingsaid mandril.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature. v

' WALTER REGINALD HUME. 

